fixturing

## Creating and Positioning Fixture Columns in PC-DMIS

Once you have defined your Flexible Fixturing system and the type of column to use, you can create and then position your fixture columns in PC-DMIS.

The Insert | Hardware Definition | Fixture menu option opens the Create/Modify Fixture dialog box.

Create/Modify Fixture dialog box

You can use this dialog box to create and position the columns so that they connect with the part. If you click OK or Apply after you load or create a fixture, PC-DMIS inserts a LOADFIXTURE command into your measurement routine. This command loads and uses the selected fixture definition.

For a description of Flexible Fixturing and for information on how to set fixturing preferences, see the "Using Fixturing System Setup" topic.

Before you create and position a fixture in PC-DMIS, you must first define a probe that matches what will be on the machine where you will use the fixture. Once the LOADPROBE and TIP commands are in the Edit window, you can create fixtures.

You can use the Fixture Points tab to fully define and deploy a fixture. With this tab, you can create and manage fixture definitions and position fixture columns so that they can properly hold your part for proper measurement.

A standard fixture definition contains this information:

- Fixture name

- Fixture contact point locations (XYZ and IJX values)

- Feature type

- Module offset type and information

- Column name

- Fixture creation date, modification date, and author information

- Machine orientation

Use this dialog box to perform the procedures in the topics below.

Use the following procedure to edit the parameters for each fixture point:

1. Left-click to select the point.

2. Right-click anywhere on the highlighted line to get the properties for the selected point.

The properties for fixture points are:

- Find vector with modification preview dialog/info

- Flip vector

- Show in CAD

- Select/Remove for reposition, (F3) toggle

- Delete point

- Module properties

You must have the System V option programmed in your LMS license or portlock to work with DCC Fixturing systems, and the 5 Unique option programmed to work with Manual Fixturing systems.

More:

To Create a New Fixture Definition

To Specify Fixture Points

To View or Modify an Existing Fixture Definition

To Delete a Fixture Definition

To Verify a Fixture Definition

To Position Fixture Elements on the Part

Graphic Display for Flexible Fixturing

Troubleshooting Column Placement

Recovering Fixture Columns